PEO Mississauga – Electrification Uncovered: Opportunities and Challenges in the Smart Grids, BESS and FACTS

PEO Mississauga – Electrification Uncovered: Opportunities and Challenges in the Smart Grids, BESS and FACTS.

Dear PEO Mississauga Chapter Members,

The Energy, Environment, and Transportation Committee is excited to invite you to an in-person event titled "Electrification Uncovered: Opportunities and Challenges in the Smart Grids and BESS and FACTS”. This event promises to be an insightful presentation and a valuable networking opportunity for professionals in our field.

What to Expect:

Engaging Presentations: Join us for an informative session focused on smart grid technologies, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems). 

The event will feature our guest speaker, Ammar Nawaz, LL.M, P.Eng, who will open the session. This will be followed by presentations from Geoff Osborne and Matthew Jones, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. Our expert speakers will share their knowledge and experiences in these critical areas.

Interactive Discussions: Participate in discussions that delve into the opportunities and challenges facing the industry today.

Practical Experience: Gain insights from real projects and case studies that highlight practical applications of smart grid and battery storage solutions.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals and industry leaders, expanding your network and fostering collaboration.

Event Details

Date and Time: June 17th, 2025, at 5:30PM EDT to 8:00PM EDT

Duration: 30 Minutes: Networking and light snacks will be served, followed by two technical sessions, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, including a Q&A segment.

Opening - Ammar Nawaz, LL.M, P.Eng. VP, Distributed Energy Solutions , Vice Chair, ESC, Co-Instructor Energy Innovation Law - Alectra

Session #1 - Geoff Osborne, Capstone Infrastructure Corporation

• Energy Storage Opportunities Across Canada.
• Large-Scale vs. Distributed Energy Storage Resources.
• Business Models and Commercial Structures for Energy Storage Projects.
• Fostering Indigenous Partnerships in Infrastructure Development.
• Case Studies: Oneida Energy Storage Project / Toronto Cecil Powerwall Microgrid DER Pilot

Session #2 - Matthew Jones, Siemens Energy Canada Limited

• Overview of FACTS Systems (Flexible AC Transmission Systems).
• Comparison of Parallel and Series Compensation.
• Advancements in FACTS Technology and their applications in the Utility Grid.
• Overview of BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems).
• Applications of BESS in the Utility Grid.

Address: Churchill Meadows Community Centre - Multi-Purpose Rooms 1 and 2 (Upper Level)

5320 Ninth Line, Mississauga, ON L5M 2S2 (Free Parking)

Registration Link: https://peomcseminar2025.eventbrite.ca

Ticket Price: $25 (The event will include light snacks, such as pizza)

Bios of Our Esteemed Speakers

Ammar Nawaz, LL.M, P.Eng. VP, Distributed Energy Solutions , Vice Chair, ESC, Co-Instructor Energy Innovation Law - Alectra

Ammar Nawaz is the Vice President of Distributed Energy Solutions at Alectra. In this role, he drives the advancement of Alectra's commercial initiatives by harnessing emerging technologies to develop tailored energy solutions. These solutions enable customers to achieve diverse energy objectives, including transportation electrification, energy cost optimization, enhanced reliability, and sustainability targets. 

With almost 20 years of experience spanning technical, operational, and business development roles in the electric power industry, Ammar has successfully led enterprise strategy development, new venture growth, acquisitions, and earnings diversification initiatives. 

A recognized thought leader, Ammar regularly provides strategic insights and guidance on regulatory and power market reforms to drive innovation and transformation in the energy sector. 

He is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds a Master of Laws degree with a specialization in utility and infrastructure regulation.

Geoff Osborne, Energy Transition Leader, Founder, Capstone Infrastructure Corporation

Geoff is passionate about our energy transition and has helped to grow several successful cleantech ventures. Presently, he leads strategy, partnership and growth initiatives as the Director of Business Development at Capstone Infrastructure – having started the Strategy & Power Markets division in 2022. Capstone is a renewable IPP with nearly 1GW of operating assets (wind, solar, hydro, biomass, energy storage, etc.) across North America. 

Geoff Osborne brings over 13 years of experience in the energy sector, with a proven track record of successfully developing, financing, and operating innovative energy projects across Canada. As a founding member of NRStor Inc. since 2012, he has been a pioneer in the Canadian energy storage industry. Geoff possesses extensive expertise in various technologies, including battery, flywheel, compressed air energy storage (CAES), hybrid systems, and distributed energy resources (DER), along with innovative front-of-the-meter (FTM) and behind-the-meter (BTM) business models. He has played a significant role in Canada’s largest battery project, NRStor’s 250MW/1000MWh Oneida Battery Project, and has led Capstone’s growth and recent successes in British Columbia, where he secured 540MW in wind contracts. Geoff is also actively involved with several industry organizations, including CanREA, Energy Storage Canada, and Clean Energy BC.

Matthew Jones, Engineering Manager - Grid Solutions , P.Eng. Siemens Energy Canada Limited

thew Jones began his career with Siemens in 2010 as part of a co-op rotation while studying at McMaster University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in May 2011 and continued to work part-time for Siemens during his final year of studies. Upon graduation, he transitioned to a full-time position in Application Engineering within the Power Systems/Grid Solutions department.

Matthew has extensive experience in physical design engineering for substations and on-site engineering for FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) projects, collaborating with clients such as Hydro One, Hydro Quebec, ATCO, and industrial partners like EVRAZ. He has also worked on High Voltage Gas-Insulated Switchgear projects for notable customers, including Toronto Hydro, Shell, and Hydro Quebec. Matthew served as the engineering lead for FACTS technology in Canada.

In 2022, he was promoted to Engineering Manager and Head of Engineering for the Grid Solutions team at Siemens Energy Canada Limited. By 2024, he expanded his role to include Engineering Manager for the Substation Design team in North America, overseeing the US and Canadian substation markets.

Matthew is a proud member of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS), and Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC). He also serves as the official representative for Canada on the A3 Study Committee for CIGRE.

Questions regarding this event: Please contact Mouwafak Ayoub (Mo) 

Vice Chair. Mississauga Chapter

[email protected]

Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mouwafakayoub/